1. I will not attempt to "do it all" lest in the attempt I exhaust myself and others and come home with nothing but a blur for my memories of the trip.
2. I will do reading and research before I leave, so that I know what I'm looking at.
3. I will generally avoid (wording changed from previous version) areas that are created solely for tourists, unless kitsch is the main point of the trip in the first place.
4. Wherever it is about which everyone says "you HAVE to go!" I will avoid that place like the plague.
5. I will take time to "do nothing" in the place where I am visiting. I will people-watch, I will go to a grocery store, I will sit and read in public spaces and in parks, I will learn the public transportation system. I will try street food.
6. I will not take any guided tour longer than one day in length.
7. I will not, under any circumstance, be an Ugly American.
8. I will find a church and attend on Sunday.
9. I will not contruct a trip that violates (Number of days of trip)/(number of countries visited) = <5
10. I will visit the Tower of London, skip the Crown Jewels, and have no regrets. (I actually have done exactly that.)
I don't understand #3. I usually want to avoid the places designed for tourists. Philip very much enjoyed going to the west part of Japan, where he said westerners don't go so much (tourists, businessmen, or otherwise).
Posted by: Susan G | 23 January 2012 at 03:42 PM
AH HA! I see I worded that badly, Susan. I'm going to fix it now.
Posted by: Elephantschild | 23 January 2012 at 03:53 PM